Richard Deering

Web-site: http://www.impulse-music.co.uk/richarddeering

Richard Deering studied at Trinity College of Music with Frank Merrick (piano) – and subsequently with Peter Wallfisch and Clifford Curzon - and trumpet/cornet with Norman Burgess. He has given piano recitals and broadcasts in over 90 countries worldwide, and has also made several commercial recordings – including an arrangement of the Beatles music as a piano concerto with the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. Many leading composers have written works especially for him, and in 1981 he was elected a member of the Royal Philharmonic Society for “distinguished services to British music”.

As an accompanist he has worked with Julian Lloyd Webber, Nigel Kennedy, Robert Tear, Brian Rayner Cook, James Blades and others – including popular singers such as Martine McCutcheon - while for many years he worked as a cabaret performer on cruise liners and as Musical Director for television programmes. Currently, he is the director of the unique performing and recording group of 4 pianists known as Piano40.

He has also played flugel horn with many brass bands.

His interest in contemporary music – especially by British composers – has led to may commissioned magazine articles and a series of albums of new music for young musicians published by Bosworths/Music Sales. He has also been an Advisor to the London Arts Board on aspects of contemporary music and jazz. He is also involved with the setting, and examining, of the higher levels of the TCL piano syllabus and examines for Rockschool. In 2006 he was awarded the Chairman’s Award by Trinity College London for services to musical assessment.

His adjudicating and examining work has taken him throughout the British Isles as well as to Australasia, North America, Africa, Orient and Caribbean. Until 2002 he was the Vice-Chairman of the British and International Federation of Festivals’ Adjudicator’s Council as well as being a Federation Trustee. He also held the position of Chief Assessor for the new adjudicator’s qualifications when administered by the University of Leeds and he was the co-writer of the new adjudication criteria used now by all Federation festivals and adjudicators.
In 2012 Richard was elected to the very small group of Fellows of the British & International Federation of Festivals for his adjudicating work, while in 2013 he was elected as Chairman of Croydon Festival.

As a teacher Richard has held positions at the London College of Music and Middlesex University as well as visiting positions at Trinity College of Music, Trinity College Dublin, Christ’s College Cambridge University, Hong Kong’s Academy of Performing Arts and the State University of New York.

In his spare time he is busy as a cricket umpire both in England and overseas.